Question Number: 19982

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/18/2008

RE: Competive High School

John of River Grove, IL USA asks...

I had a couple of questions regarding calls made at the HS level. All of these plays were separate US high school boys games with a 2-man system (which I personally dislike). Some information was seen at the game, some information was obtained by other parents/players at a later date. I am not sure if the rulings on the field are correct.

1. Goalie is in legitimate possession of the ball in the box. He starts to throw to a teammate when he notices an opposing player close by. He tries to stop the throw but because he has started his motion the ball leaves his hand and goes out of the box. Seeing this, the opposing team runs toward the now loose ball, which is about 10 feet outside the box. The goalie leaves the box and kicks the ball (which has not been touched by a player of either side) out of bounds The referee blows the whistle and awards an IDK to the opposing team at the point of the kick, stating (later) that once the ball leave the goalies possession he cannot touch it again unless it is touched by another player. Correct call? (I think not but I am a parent not a referee).

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Not even by highschool standards is that a correct call.
And Ditto on the two man sytem

In normal play the keeper has the 6 seconds of non challangable ball in hand possession within his area. After that ball is released back into active play ONLY his use of the hands is temporarily suspended until another player makes contact with the ball. The keeper is free to kick or dribble the ball after releasing the ball from his hands.

ONLY on a restart like a goal kick or a free kick or throw in where two consecutive touches by a player on the ball is there an INDFK for simply making ball to body contact
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The keeper is prohibited from handling the ball twice in succession without the intervening touch of another player. But he can kick it after releasing it from his hands. Else, most punts and every drop kick would be illegal!